Wanted: Dead or Alive (1958)
The classic CBS Western that turned Steve McQueen into a star — 94 episodes of frontier justice, grit, and bounty-hunting adventure.
Wanted: Dead or Alive - Series Information
- Original Title: Wanted: Dead or Alive
- First Air Year: 1958
- Last Air Year: 1961
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Western, Action, Adventure, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-G
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 25 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 94
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 6, 1958 (United States - TV-G), September 6, 1958 (Canada - PG), September 6, 1958 (Germany - 12), September 6, 1958 (France - 12), September 6, 1958 (Spain - 13)
- Networks: CBS
- Alternative Titles: Josh - Der Kopfgeldjäger (DE)
- Production Companies: Malcolm Enterprises, CBS, Four Stars Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Wanted: Dead or Alive - Plot
Wanted: Dead or Alive is an American Western television series starring Steve McQueen as the bounty hunter Josh Randall. It aired on CBS for three seasons from 1958–61. The black-and-white program was a spin-off of a March 1958 episode of Trackdown, a 1957–59 western series starring Robert Culp. Both series were produced by Four Star Television in association with CBS Television. The series launched McQueen into becoming the first television star to cross over into comparable status on the big screen.
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Wanted: Dead or Alive - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Steve McQueen
- Wright King
- Mort Mills
- Rudy Doucette
- Jean Willes
- William Schallert
- Joseph V. Perry
- Warren Oates
- Bill Quinn
- Frank Mills
Writers
- Ed Adamson
- Don Brinkley
- Fred Freiberger
- Samuel A. Peeples
- Robert Leslie Bellem
Wanted: Dead or Alive - FAQs
Where can you stream Wanted: Dead or Alive?
Wanted: Dead or Alive is available on several platforms in the United States. Free ad-supported options include Tubi TV, Pluto TV, Plex, and The CW. Subscription services carrying the series include Starz, Philo, and Spectrum On Demand. The Roku Channel also offers episodes with ads.
How did Wanted: Dead or Alive launch Steve McQueen's career?
Wanted: Dead or Alive made Steve McQueen a household name and is widely credited as the springboard that launched his film career. He became the first television star to achieve comparable star status on the big screen, paving the way for iconic roles in The Magnificent Seven and The Great Escape.
Is Wanted: Dead or Alive based on a true story?
Wanted: Dead or Alive is a fictional Western series. The central character, bounty hunter Josh Randall, is not based on a specific historical figure, though the show draws on the authentic atmosphere of the 19th-century American frontier and the real practice of bounty hunting in the Wild West era.
What is Wanted: Dead or Alive about?
The series follows Josh Randall, a rugged bounty hunter roaming the 19th-century American West in pursuit of outlaws. Armed with a sawed-off Winchester rifle, Randall navigates moral ambiguity and frontier danger across 94 episodes. Critics have praised the show for McQueen's magnetic screen presence and its lean, efficient storytelling.
How many seasons does Wanted: Dead or Alive have?
Wanted: Dead or Alive ran for three seasons on CBS, airing from September 1958 to 1961. Season 1 comprised 36 episodes, Season 2 had 32 episodes, and Season 3 contained 26 episodes, bringing the total to 94 episodes across the entire run.
What show did Wanted: Dead or Alive spin off from?
Wanted: Dead or Alive originated as a spin-off from Trackdown, a CBS Western that aired from 1957 to 1959 and starred Robert Culp. The character of Josh Randall first appeared in a March 1958 episode of Trackdown, prompting CBS and Four Star Television to develop a dedicated series around McQueen's portrayal.
Who are the main actors in Wanted: Dead or Alive?
Steve McQueen leads the cast as bounty hunter Josh Randall. Supporting players include Wright King, Mort Mills, Jean Willes, William Schallert, Joseph V. Perry, Warren Oates, and Bill Quinn. Character actor Rudy Doucette and Frank Mills also appear throughout the series in recurring roles.
What is the content rating for Wanted: Dead or Alive?
Wanted: Dead or Alive carries a TV-G content rating in the United States, making it suitable for general audiences of all ages. The series premiered on CBS on September 6, 1958, and also received age-guidance ratings in several other countries, including PG in Canada and a 12 rating in Germany and France.
More About Wanted: Dead or Alive
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